Additional radiator cooling should be activated only when the engine temperature reaches 90°C. If the cooling fan constantly runs, it indicates one of these reasons: failure of the coolant temperature sensor or its wiring, fan start relay failure, damage to the drive motor wires, failure of the electronic engine control unit (ECU) and several others.
To understand how the cooling fan should work properly, you need to know what temperature is programmed in the control unit for its inclusion. Or look at the data on the fan switch sensor located in the radiator. Usually, it is in the range of +87...+95 °C.
In this article, we will consider in detail all the main reasons why the engine cooling fan does not work only when the coolant temperature reaches 100 degrees, but always when the ignition is off.
| Reasons for fan activation | Conditions for turning on |
|---|---|
| Failure of the coolant temperature sensor or damage of its wiring | Engine running in emergency mode |
| Defective relay of fan switching | |
| Short circuit of wires to “ground” | Engine running, the fan may turn off if contact is made/missed |
| ECU malfunction | Different modes, depending on the specific ECU |
| Heat release of a radiator is disturbed (contamination) | With the engine running, on a long trip |
| Defective sensor of freon pressure | With the air conditioner on |
| Coolant system low efficiency | With the engine running |
Why the cooling fan is constantly running
There are 7 main reasons why the vehicle's engine fan is running all the time. How to determine which of them occurred in your case, read below.
Failure of a coolant temperature sensor or damage of its wiring
If there is incorrect information from the sensor to ECU (over- or under-information, lack of signal, short circuit), "Check Engine" light turns on, and ECU memory generates errors. As a result of such a malfunction, the engine goes to the emergency operation mode, in which the fan turns continuously, so as not to overheat the engine.
How to understand it: A sign of such malfunction is difficult to start a cold engine.
Shorted wires to «ground»
Quite often the fan constantly runs if it has a frayed minus wire. Depending on the design of the engine, this can be in different places.
How to determine this: If the design of the motor provides for two coolant temperature sensors, then if the «minus» of the first sensor is broken, the fan will «flail» when the ignition is on. If the insulation of the wires of the second sensor is damaged, the fan runs continuously when the engine is on.
Defective relay on the fan
In most cars, the fan power consists of a «plus» from the relay and a «minus» from the ECU by temperature from the coolant temperature sensor. «Plus» is supplied all the time, and «minus» when the antifreeze reaches operating temperature.
How to determine it: You may hear the problem in the relay by a «click». If the fan is running even though the engine is still cold, and there was no clicking sound of the fan relay, it means it is closed. Or the minus wire of the sensor was short-circuited.
Dirty radiator
If the radiator, both the main radiator and the air conditioner radiator, is very dirty, the heat exchange is disturbed because of which the fan has to spin almost constantly to cool the system.
How to define: The fan runs constantly when the air conditioner is on, and if it wasn't on, it will start spinning as soon as the engine warms up and won't shut off even after the engine is turned off until the motor cools down. Contamination can be both outside and inside (if the antifreeze hasn't been changed for a long time).
The condition on the outside will help to see a flashlight and to determine whether contamination may be present on the inside, you can use certain symptoms. Some of them are the condition of the coolant and the operation of the cabin heater.
Failure of the freon pressure sensor in the air conditioner
If the freon pressure sensor fails and the refrigerant leaks, the ECU gets a signal that the radiator is overheated. As a result, it tries to cool it with the fan permanently on.
How to identify it: The cooling fan rotates constantly when you switch on the air conditioner. It really shouldn't be this way, as it indicates either a clogged (dirty) radiator or a problem with the freon pressure sensor (freon leak).
Low efficiency of the cooling system
Breakdowns can be associated with low coolant level, coolant leakage, a defective thermostat, pump failure, depressurized radiator cap or expansion tank.
How to determine the problem: With this problem, the fan may not run continuously, and for a long time, or just turn on frequently.
Electronic control unit malfunction
The ECU may malfunction due to a defect in its software or if moisture enters its interior. As moisture can be for example antifreeze, which got into ECU (it is often actual for Chevrolet Cruze, antifreeze gets into ECU through torn throttle heating pipe, so it is near block).
Why radiator fan stays on all the time
What to do if the cooling fan is constantly running
To diagnose the reason why the engine cooling fan is running all the time, you need to perform several checks based on the most probable causes.
- Check for errors in ECU memory. For example, error code p2185 indicates that there is no minus at the fuel gauge, and some others (from p0115 to p0119) indicate other faults in its electrical circuit.
- Inspect the integrity of the sensor wires. Depending on the design of the motor, individual wires associated with the fan drive may be damaged (usually frayed insulation), which causes a short circuit. Therefore, you just need to find the place where the wire is damaged. This can be done either visually or with a multimeter. Alternatively, you can insert two needles into the contacts of the chip and short-circuit them. If the wires are intact, the ECU will display the engine overheat error.
- Check the sensor with a multimeter. When everything is okay with the wiring and power to the sensor, it is worth checking the coolant temperature sensor. Along with checking the sensor itself, you should also check the contacts and the quality of its terminal. If necessary, clean the contacts from oxides.
- Make sure the relay is working properly and the fuse is intact. Check if the power comes from the relay to the fan with a multimeter (the contact number can be found in the diagram). Sometimes it can «stick» and must be replaced. If there is no power, check the fuse.
- Clean the radiators and cooling system. If the main radiator or radiator of air conditioner is covered with garbage, it must be cleaned (you can use a “Kärcher” at a car wash). Engine radiator clogging can also form inside, but then it is necessary to clean the whole cooling system with special means. Or dismantle the radiator and wash it separately.
- It is necessary to check the operation of the cooling system. The fan may run continuously with low efficiency of the cooling system and its individual elements. Therefore, it is desirable to check the cooling system, and if any breakages are revealed — repair or replace its parts.
How to Diagnose A Constantly Running Fan
- To check freon level (it is displayed in a special sight on a branch pipe of the system) and operation of the refrigerant pressure sensor. For the realization of these procedures and removal of the reason, it is better to visit service.
If everything is checked but the problem remains, there is only one last measure left — ECU diagnosis. In a general case, it is necessary to dismantle the ECU and disassemble its case. Then check the condition of the internal board and its elements. If necessary, clean oxides with alcohol. But such work should be entrusted only to specialists at a service station.
Most often, the radiator cooling fan is running all the time because of a short circuit in the starting relay or its wiring. Other problems are less frequent. Accordingly, it is necessary to start diagnostics by checking relay, wiring and presence of errors in ECU memory.
FAQ:
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Are radiator fans supposed to run all the time?
Radiator fans are supposed to run until the coolant temperature comes down to normal level.
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Why won't my cooling fan shut off?
When the engine is turned off, but the radiator fan is constantly running on, the only problem is the shorted relay.
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How do I stop my radiator fan from running?
Find the fuse and relay diagram. Remove the cooling fan relay from the box and replace it with a new one. A shorted relay is the only reason why the cooling fan may run continuously after the engine is turned off.
